God likes me? PART I

Col 3:1-4

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Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,

set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

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(emphasis mine)

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"...raised with Christ?", "...you died...", "...your life is now hidden with Christ in God?" What in the world does all this mean? To the believer in Jesus, this passage can make perfect sense - but only if we understand it in this light: God now deals with us, addresses us in a totally new way: as His precious and dear children that He delights in. Yes, He actually likes us.

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It's like this: since I became born again, when I believed in Jesus, God sees me, speaks to me, deals with me, addresses me as His dear child that He thoroughly delights in [that He likes]. It means that when he addresses me, He focus is on "the new person" that I now am and it's never on the sin. Now I didn't say that He doesn't address the sin, or doesn't deal with the sin. It's just that now, He doesn't focus on or personify the old man (remember, he's dead). Here's a literal translation of a verse that expresses the Father's heart (from an Old English version) -

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Ps 130:3-4

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If iniquities Thou dost observe, O Lord, who doth stand?

But with Thee [is] forgiveness, that Thou mayest be feared.

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Youngs Literal Translation

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The Apostle Paul says, "For you died..." What? I feel pretty much alive. What does this mean? It means that my heavenly Father is ever speaking to me - not to the "old me" (the me I was before I was a believer) - but to the new me. The real me...the bran' new man. The one who is "risen with Christ" and whose life is "hidden with Christ in God."

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2 Cor 5:17-18

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

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NKJV

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The Greek word for "all" means "all!" All things have become new. The way God sees you, treats you, deals with you, that has become new too!. The reason the Christian may not be hearing Him is because he's listening with my "dead man" ears -- the ears that are not only deaf. They're dead! No wonder we can't hear Him sometimes! We need to listen with the awakened, born again ears that He's touched and made alive.

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Bringing this simple truth to mind makes all the difference in the world: that I am now, as He says, "risen with Christ," and that I have been crucified with Christ and that I'm this renewed person that God thoroughly delights in, that God looks at me as His dear one, and deals with me that way and now according to my sins or inconsistancies. When I bring this to mind, I start to hear Him again (He's not mute, you know...He is speaking to us). It' s in this "secret place" or "hidden place" with God that I find the greatest communion.

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Ps 91:1

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He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

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It's only when I remember this that I find myself drawing close to my Heavenly Father - whether in my quiet time, or during the day. In other words, whether it's with God or with people, I will always gravitate toward, move toward, want to be around the one who actually likes me. Conversely, I will tend to avoid, not want to be around someone who doesn't like me. And don't think that this doesn't apply to God. As much as we know we ought to draw near to Him, boldly, and often, think about it - do you find yourself doing this often? Not in theory, but in reality? In a reverent, yet relaxed way? Drawing close to Him, jumping into His deep love and acceptance for you? Jumping on the Father's lap, knowing that He's delighting in you as you do?

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Ps 37:44

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Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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But I do find myself delighting in Him in that reverent, relaxed communion the moment I bring to mind that God, who created me for His pleasure, actually likes me; He likes to be with me, likes my presence, my heart, my voice... me! I do tend to avoid communing with Him if I think that I'm just a bother; someone to be tolerated; a pain in the neck. I find myself "delighting in the Lord" much more when I realize that He's not just tolerating me - He enjoys my presence and I enjoy His!

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What does it mean to be liked by God? It means that He will always look at the best in you. If He tells us that love "believes all things," then God, being love ("God is love" 1 John 4:8b), certainly practices what He preaches and believes the best in us. It also means that He will never reject you - ever. That He will always treat you as one who is precious to Him.

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When I start actually believing this truth (that God not only loves me, but likes me), and started wearing this, I felt so comfortable in His love I heard my heart say, "So, what's not to like?" That didn't last long. I immediately start thinking (with a little help from the Accuser) of all those things about myself that are inconsistent, weak and pathetic. "That's what's not to like!" is what the personified flesh says. But, I get victory if the next thoughts are, "Yeah, but that's not what God focuses on. That "old man" who personifies those inconsistent, weak and pathetic ways is dead to God! That's just not how He sees me...deals with me!"

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And even though I confess sins to Him (I don't pretend the sins and inconsistencies aren't there), His voice to me, His heart toward me is always void of condemnation and full of grace. He is speaking, and will always and only speak to me as His dear child, his delight. So, indeed - what's not to like?

I challenge anyone reading this to discuss this thought with God and ask Him, "Do You always focus on and address the real me - the born again me? And do You really like me? Then, listen to how He responds to you. Maybe if you hear Him saying to you, "Of course I like you! I made you in My image, unique, and likable. What's not to like?", you might actually find yourself drawing close to Him more and more. Give it a test. First thing in the morning, acknowledge that you are a total delight to your Father in heaven, and then bring that thought to mind throughout the day. Then see if you find yourself communing with Him more. You'll eventually find out that it's the truth anyway, whether you believe it or not.

God likes me? PART II

Three umpires are boasting, each one thinking that his approach to calling a ball or a strike is superior.

The first umpire says, “I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em.”

The second umpire says, “I calls ‘em as they are.”

The third umpire says, “They are as I calls ‘em.”

I always liked this one. When I heard this, I kind of liked the third umpire, even though I thought he was a little arrogant and even unfair. His "call" can be a horrible one, yet it still stands. "They are as he calls 'em" and, as unfair as this may be, the fact is: it's the truth. And there may be a good analogy here of God calling the believer in Jesus "righteous," even though his behavior doesn't quite line up. I'll explain:

In this analogy, the umpire's call, or evaluation, is regarding if you are a condemned sinner, or a precious saint. Let's say that the first umpire’s call represents your self-evaluation, the second umpire’s call represents other’s evaluation of you, and the the third umpire’s call represents God’s evaluation of you. I'll go into a little more detail:

The first umpire’s call represents your self-evaluation – your own understanding. You "call yourself as you see yourself" but, with your limited knowledge and insight, you will see your sin as either overwhelming (letting it define you and being discouraged or condemning yourself), or you will ignore it and not deal with it correctly (avoiding the remorse and repentance it warrants and becoming proud, arrogant, deceived).

We are commanded to "not depend on our own understanding..."

Prov 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take.

Don't be impressed with your own wisdom.Instead,

fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Then you will have healing for your bodyand strength for your bones.

The second umpire’s call represents other’s evaluation of you; those who posture as “experts," or those we look at as experts. You think they "see you for who you really are." These may be your accusers, critical of all your faults and sins (which, by the way, really are there), or, they may be deceived themselves and belittle sins, elevating you to “godhood” as if you had no sin at all (i.e. New Age, Christian Science).

Rev 12:10-11

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Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,and the authority of his Christ.
For the accuser of our brothers,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
They overcame himby the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so muchas to shrink from death.
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2 Cor 11:14-15

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Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

It is not surprising, then,

if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.

Their end will be what their actions deserve.

The third umpire’s call represents God’s evaluation of you: "You are as He calls you." The third umpire knows his authority and understands that whatever he says, stands. Whatever God says, goes. His evaluation of you is the final say; it's authoritative (because of His nature, His position and His authority), and it’s what STANDS, even if what you are appears to be different. The moment you believed in Jesus, God calls you, "Righteous!" "Precious." "Dear to Me."
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The opposing team's manager can run out of the dugout and rant and rave at the umpire for his unfair call, but it doesn’t matter; what the umpire says, STANDS. The crowds can boo and hiss, but it doesn’t matter; what the umpire says, STANDS: "They are as I calls 'em." And you are as God calls you! And God calls you, "My dear son, in whom I delight!" or "My dear daughter, in whom I delight."

The enemy, the accuser of your soul who sees your sin so clearly, may say it’s not fair for you to be called "precious" or “righteous." You yourself may think it’s not fair that you have become so dear to God, because you too can see your sin, your inconsistancies so clearly, but it doesn’t matter; what God says about you STANDS! He has the final say about you. Other’s may call you unworthy, pathetic and hopeless, but it doesn’t matter. You may think of yourself like this, but it doesn't matter. What God says about you, STANDS. He is your ultimate "Definer."

God is not blind to your sins, but He does not see you as sin personified. He doesn’t deal with you according to your sins, nor does He define you according to your sins. And though He "calls us out" on our sins, He also calls you His precious one. You are His delight. He sees you as His righteous son or daughter, because He’s imparted that righteousness to you based on Jesus’ death and resurrection. This call IS SETTLED FOR ETERNITY, because, “You are as He calls you!” He showed you His love through Jesus' awesome sacrifice on the cross. He opened your eyes to see. You believed in Him. He's accepted you, calls you His own, calls you righteous... yes, He likes you!
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1 Corinthians 1:30, 31

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Yet, from this same God

you have received your standing in Jesus Christ,

and he has become for us the true wisdom,

a matter, in practice, of being made righteous and holy,

in fact, of being redeemed.

And this makes us see the truth of the Scripture:

‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.’

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An excerpt from Watchman Nee's Devotional Book: A Table in the Wilderness (day: July 9)

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The accuser of our brethren is cast down,

which accuseth them before our God day and night.

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- Revelation 12:10

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Satan is a murderer and a deceiver, he entices and he attacks; but today he specializes in accusing. Heaven recognizes this, and so must every Christian. Night and day he accuses us, and his charges, which are not unfounded, are directed at our conscience --the very point where we most lack the strength to fight him. His object is to drive us to think in despair, "I am a hopeless failure! God can do nothing with me!" Conscience is a precious thing, but to repeat endlessly "I am no good! I am no good!" is not Chritian humility. To confess our sins is wholesome, but let us never carry confession to the point where our sinfulness looms for us larger than the work of Christ. The Devil knows no weapon more effective against you and me than the creation of this illusion. What is the remedy? Plead guilty to God. Confess to him "Lord, I am no good!" but then remind yourself of the precious Blood, and looking away to his glory, add: "But Lord, I am abiding in thee!"

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I close with this spontaneous poem I just wrote:

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MAN: THE CROWN OF HIS CREATION

Created for His pleasure

The Father delights in you;

You are His greatest treasure

Your heart knows this is true.

So do not fight the joy
That this thought can bring;
And when it works into your soul
It’ll make you dance and sing!

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If you're not dancing and singing about this, or at least believing this truth with great joy, it probably hasn't worked into your soul yet -- but it's still true. Just look to God and ask Him, "In spite of all my inconsistancies, failures, am I still a delight to You?" And then be still and let Him personally show you the answer. When you hear it from Him personally, you'll never be the same - for His delight in you is not contingent upon how you're doing or what you're doing - but it's totally dependent on what HE has done....created you in His image and redeemed you, made you acceptable to Him through the finished work of Jesus.

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In The Trenches Together: True Friends

There are many kinds of friends: high-school friends, friends you grew up with, fair-weather friends and then, there are true friends. And among true friends there are friends that are distant and there are friends that are with you in the trenches; friends that you are partnering with. The "partnership-friends," mainly those who are in your congregation*, are to me the truest friends.

[*your congregation: fellow followers of Jesus with whom you meet on a regular basis to worship God, learn of His word and encourage one another; believers to whom you are committed, and leaders to whom you are submitted]

THE FOUNDATION: BEING JESUS' FRIEND FIRST
What makes a friendship rich and meaningful is when two people are going in the same direction together, fulfilling the same purpose. Jesus has many people who believe in Him and therefore, are going to heaven with Him, but friendship with Jesus is conditioned upon partnership with Him in His Kingdom work - in loving one another. He said,
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"You are my friends if you do what I command...

...this is my command: Love each other.

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John 15:14, 17 (emphasis mine)

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The key word here is "if." Friendship with Jesus is conditioned upon our joining Him in His love for people. So, true friendship is connected to partnership - two people going in the same direction, with the same purpose, the same heart, in the trenches together. Jesus is first a friend to us - by giving His life for us. When we believed in Him, we were then open to hear Him invite us to be a friend to Him. Taking Him up on that invitation and committing to follow Him wholeheartedly, your whole life makes you His friend. It's upon this friendship/partnership with Jesus that we develop true friends - Kingdom friends.

TRUE FRIENDS: IN THE TRENCHES TOGETHER
My truest friends are those believers in my congregation that have been with me through the years: when I'm at my best, and when I'm at my worst...through times of celebration and through very difficult times. People who are committed to me and I to them. And I'm blessed to have friends like this in my congregation - like the couple who drove with me and my wife to the doggie shelter when we had to put our little dog down and helped me dig the hole to bury her. Or the couple who will listen to my wife and I when we need to get some feedback and counsel. Or the men that I meet with on a weekly basis that hold my foot to the fire and I them. And on and on I could go.

I'm a bless'd man because I have some true friends in the Kingdom, in our congregation. A brother told me the other day: "Michael, you're first my friend, then my pastor." Some pastors might be offended by this. I was honored. Why? Because one only needs to be a part of our congregation to call me pastor, but for one to call me his friend, that takes time, commitment, working through conflicts, spending time with, "being there" for, and earning trust.

THE GAUGE: DO I HAVE TRUE "KINGDOM FRIENDS"
So, how do you know if you have that kind of friend? [speaking to guys now...some tuff talk...so, if you can't take it, proceed no further] If you're a believer who has left a fellowship and didn't stick around because there was a conflict, you missed a golden opportunity to develop a true friendship. What will it take to get started again? Stop bein' such a wimp and get back into the battle!
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Enough of this, "Well, I was hurt, so I left the church." That's baby-talk. What kind of a man does that? I'll tell you what kind of a man - a "girly-man" that's who. Men ought to use the testosterone God gave them to aggressively move in to messy situations and bring order to them. Did you confront the one who hurt you and really try to work it out in a Biblical way before you left the congregation? If you didn't, then you've never grown up. You're a wimp! Grow up! [to women reading this: relax, guys can take this kind of talk].
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Josh Harris summed up this problem in title of his book: Stop Dating Your Church. People who are not committed to a local congregation cannot experience these true frienships. They have a "dating" experience with a congregation and will never experience the richness of true friendship that only committment brings. They're floaters. A "floater" is one who goes from congregation to congregation, one who is afraid to commit, afraid to allow someone to really know him, afraid to meet with men on a regular basis and be real, vulnerable.

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If that's the case, then, unless there is a change, the chance of experiencing this kind of true friendship is about 0%. But, if one overcome his fears, and works through hurts and rejection and inner vows (i.e. "People hurt me when I opened up to them and I'll never open up to another person - ever!!!"), and starts being that friend to others, that man will be amazed at how many true friends he will have in his life.

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THE OPPORTUNITY: OPEN TO ALL

Is there someone in your congregation that really knows you? That you could pour out your heart to and he would listen to you? That has cared about you enough that, rather than bailing when there was conflict, he talked with you and worked it out with you? If you have a man like this in your congregation, then you have a true friend and you are a rich man. If you don't, well, it's not to late to start. But this is rare.

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The good thing about true friendships is this: anyone can develop these true friendships. The prerequisite is: one first must be sold out to the Lord and committed to the congreation in which God planted him. If that's in place, then just start by being that kind of friend to people.
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"A man that has friends must show himself friendly..."

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Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)

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JUMP IN: THE WATER'S FINE

Don't wait for one to pursue that kind of friendship with you. Stop waitin' and start initiatin'. And, it's not only worth it, but I've seen no other way that this true friendship can be experineced. It's there waiting for you. The real question is: "Do you want it, or will you let your fears control you?"

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O.K. Maybe your lack of commitment was done in ignorance. Maybe you didn't know that you, as a man of God, were required to press in and do all you can to work things out rather than to put your tail between your legs and flee. Maybe you didn't know the Biblical way of how to deal with conflicts. But, for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom, you don't have to continue in this ignorance. The Body of Christ needs some examples of men who won't wimp out and will stay the course; those who put feet to the word committment and who work out conflicts - who develop true Kingdom friendships. Will you be that example? It's in these friendships that the world takes notice and recognizes that we are truly His disciples, His friends.

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"By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another."

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- Jesus

John 13:35

These Are The Glory Days

Glory Days -

Golden Days of Super Heroes

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Do you remember that scene - Mr. Incredible walks into his office at home and glances at the framed magazine cover of Glory Days hanging on his wall - featuring Mr. Incredible himself on the front cover. And now that those days are over, he's constantly looking back -- longing for The Glory Days again. He was no longer doing the heroic, noble, dangerous stuff. The manly stuff.

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Well, there'll be a day when we'll no longer have the opportunities to do those heroic, noble, faith feats - the hard stuff, like loving when it's hard to love, like forgiving, like persevering and having patience, like suffering persecution for Jesus' sake, like all the stuff that takes faith, and courage and love. In the Kingdom to come, this stuff will all be easy.

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The believer may say, "YES! And I can't wait for heaven! Can't wait until all this is over. Just beam me up now, Captain! Get me out of this evil mess!" Whoa! Not so fast. Don't get me wrong; that longing is good, to want to be freed from this crazy body of sin, to be away from all the evils in this world, to long to be with Jesus in His kingdom to come. But that good longing may be blinding us to a truth that God is wanting us to see and embrace.

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And that truth is: there are golden opportunities only in this life - holy character building times that this life affords and that will never be repeated - not in heaven, not ever again - for all eternity....that there is something about these evil days we live in that are golden opportunities which will never come our way again...that we will be in heaven looking back at these days and calling them "The Glory Days" or, the days of glorious opportunities that worked a God-blessed- character in us...days that we will never be ours again.

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And doesn't it make sense? Character is developed in adversity. There will be no adversity in heaven. Therefore, this unique working of Jesus' character can be worked in us in only in this life - not in the next. And it's this "proven character" that works in us hope:

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"...and not only this, but we also glory in our tribulations,

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God

has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

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Rom 5:3-5 (emphasis mine)

So, what will cause us to "glory in our tribulations?" Knowing that we will have the character of Jesus worked in us, and that these "Glory Days" are the only time in which we will have this opportunity for God to work that character into our souls. And this character is what will be rewarded in the life to come. Who will Jesus want to sit with Him in rulership in the Kingdom to come? Who will Jesus say, "Well done" to? Who will Jesus invite to celebrate with Him at the great banquet in glory? It will be those who appreciated these days as the "Glory Days" and invested their lives in His Kingdom and partnered with Him in His love for people. That's who.

The days in the Kingdom to come will be the "glorious days," but the days we live in today are the "Glory Days."

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Will we wait for the Kingdom to come to look back at these days and finally appreciate the opportunities that were afforded us in this life? If today (instead of waiting until we get into heaven), we would understand that the "Glory Days" are here and now - in this life - we might find ourselves "cashing in" on those once-in-an-eternity opportunities that come our way through trials, tribulations and scary moments; the opportunities in which character is built, and rewards are won. And we only have one shot at this: This Life. God, by His indwelling Holy Spirit, has given us a power beyond ourselves to love, to suffer, to do great things for Him - or, as Mother Teresa said, to "...do little things with great love." By God's grace and power, we can be those super-heroes to children looking for that role model, or to those in your home, at your workplace, in your congregation, in your neighborhood.

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So, he who has an ear, let him hear: if the building of character and the attaining of reward is something you value, you will be needing some encouragement in this battle. Those who do not value these things pretty much think heaven is going to be "a wash." Sadly, they think that all Christians will have the same degree of character in heaven; the same reward: the affirmation ("Well done.."), the celebration (at the Great Wedding Feast) and exaltation (that close position with Jesus - being a co-ruler with Him). But that's not what I see in the Scriptures. Only the conquerors, the overcomers (and not every Christian) will be the ones who will be chosen by the Father to co-rule with Jesus. Jesus said, .

"The one [that individual] who conquers [or, overcomes],
.I will grant him to sit with me on my throne,
.as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
.He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

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Revelation 3:19-22 (emphasis mine)

If you do have that ear to hear, I hope this song I wrote will encourage you (words are complete, music is being worked on...)

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The Glory Days

Jesus left His glory above
On the cross displaying such love,

which He knew would lead to a greater glory.

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And when we push aside the glory this world affords
Living only for His eternal rewards

we’ll be found co-writing His great love story

Character is only developed

in the midst of adversity
And when we’re glorified there’ll be no more opportunity

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Faith will be natural, love – effortless
But today we’re surrounded by sin
So, if we follow Him well
In the face of all of hell
There’s a glory that’s worked deep within.

Yes, these are The Glory Days, today
When we’re in heaven we’ll look back and say
"Those were The Glory Days --
When it took
everything in us to trust and obey
To love the unlovely, to work hard and pray..."
O’ these are The Glo-ry Days – today!

Why is it so hard for us to see
This “vapor” here compared to eternity,

so be sober, be watchful, take heed

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Only one life, it soon will pass
Only what is done for Christ will last,

and today...today's not even guaranteed.

This life - a time of testing for you and me
A time for investing in eternity
'Cause when we’re glorified, there’ll be no more opportunity
The devil will be bound
The world a happy place
The flesh will be glorified
And this is the only time for this kind of glory to be worked inside

Yes, these are The Glory Days, today
When we’re in heaven we’ll look back and say,
"Those were The Glory Days -
When it took
everything in us to trust and obey
To love the unlovely, to work hard and pray..."
O’ these are The Glo-ry Days – today!

[rap]

For there will never be a time like this to glorify our King
To do noble deeds - to lift our voice and sing
praises to our God when all hell is breaking out around us

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There will never be a time like this to learn how to care
To be vulnerable, courageous and even dare to share
His Word - for we’ll be in a place where love will always surround us

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So stop complain’ we’ll soon be reignin’ in the Kingdom to come
Let’s stop askin’ Him to "beam us up" – ‘cause that’s just dumb
Let’s just keep our eyes on the prize, and give our all to the Lord.

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Let’s stop the “ain’t it awful” sessions -- what good is it for?
The evil, yes, it’s ugly -- but one day it’ll be no more
And there will never ever be another time like this
to go for His reward.

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So, keep running this race with all your might
Lift up your head, walk tall, and get back into the fight
For the time is short and you have a battle to be won
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And the greatest joy we’ll bring to Jesus Christ, our Lord
Is when He grants us, on THAT DAY, His full reward
Let’s give the Father a good reason to say "Well done!"

Yes, these are the days to give our all to the Lord
So when we see His face we’ll have less regret and more reward
Come on now -- these are the days to give our all to the Lord
So when we see His face we’ll have less regret and more reward

Yes, these are The Glory Days, today
When we’re in heaven we’ll look back and say
"Those were The Glory Days --

When it took
everything in us to trust and obey
To love the unlovely, to work hard and pray..."
O’ these are The Glo-ry Days – today!

© 2007 Michael J. Ledner

Selfish People Anonymous

Hi. I'm Michael, and I've been sober for about 10 minutes....actually, maybe 7.

I'm one of those people who want to care deeply, but see myself with this addiction to "me" - to "selfishness." Admitting this, I can get on with life and be sober for long periods of time - partnering with Jesus in this awesome business of caring for others - thinking about others before myself. I don't call my tendency toward this ungodly selfishness a "disease," though it's "like" a disease - for it effects every part of my being. It's due to the Fallness of my soul (which I inherited), and yet, I don't have to yield to this pull of selfishiness - which is constantly in me:

"...so I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me..."

- The Apostle Paul, Rom 7:21

I can overcome these pulls by first admitting that there is indeed this tendency to be utterly selfish in every situation I'm in. Then, if I cling to the Lord for His power to overcome, He will shower me with His grace to overcome. Also, I learn to overcome accusation, guilt and shame by taking responsibility for every selfish action I act out, by repenting of the core sin - which is a floundering in my commitment to my Lord (which I can't blame on my fallenness or on a disease). By confessing my sin and thanking my Lord for the blood that "...cleanses me from all sin" (1 John 1:7-10), the enemy can't harrass me with his accusations.

Don't get me wrong; thinking of one's self is not always wrong. There is a sort-of "sanctified selfishness" - as long as what I'm doing is for my true greatest good -such as: growing in character. The pursuit of character growth is an unselfish goal becuase this is God's desire for me. Character is what we bring into glory with us, and proven character is rewarded. To puruse God's reward (verses man's reward) is a noble thing.

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And what is the eternal reward that God encourages me to pursue? It's His Affirmation (hearing from Him "...well done..." given only to the believers who overcome - Matt. 25:21), the Celebration (an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb - given only to the believers who overcome - Rev. 19:6-9), and Exaltation ("...come take your place of intimacy with Me - of co-rulership" - reserved only for the believers who overcome - Rev. 3:19-22). I'm learning to embrace God's reward (not man's) through Jesus Christ, to cleave to Him, and do whatever He says. As I do, He teaches me how to grow in this area of truly caring for people... for it's only in caring that I am delivered from my selfishness. This proven character only develops in me as I'm faithful in each task and as I puruse caring for others for the sake of receiving God's reward.

Overcoming these selfish pulls and living for Jesus' promised reward is the best thing I can do for myself, and the best way to glorfiy God - for God is most glorifed in our caring for people - with the same love that He loved us. Overcoming these pulls for Jesus' promised reward is doing what's best for myself in an obedient way (He commands us to love one antother, to overcome and to pursue His reward), verses the selfish way of putting my ego, or my pride or my conveniences or comforts above others.

Until I'm glorified, there is much godly character awaiting to be developed in me as I overcome these selfish pulls here and now...a character that can only be developed in the midst of these pulls... in this life - not in the next. This life, with all its struggles and turmoil, is the only time we have to develop this character. One can not develop this charater in "glory" because all the sinful pulls within, and all the evils of the world, and all the demons will be absent. And remember, this character can only be developed in the midst of adversity and opposition. We will one day look back at these days of trial and tribulation as "the Glory Days." I want my life to count for all eternity, and I don't know if I even have another full day left. Time to get one with this business of caring while I still have breath.

One day I'll be delivered from all these selfish pulls. Until then, thank You Lord for this once in a lifetime opportunity to go for that great eternal reward by trusting you in the midst of my crazy selfish pulls and overcoming them by caring for others.. for it's only in caring that I am delivered from my selfishness.

I'm Michael. I'm a selfish person. I've been sober for about 15 minutes now. ... actually, maybe 12. My higher power is a resurrected person. His name is Jesus.

P.S. It may be encouraging to know that the Apostle Paul was a member of "Selfish People Anonymous" - though he was quite an overcomer as well. Listen to his struggle:

I do not understand what I do.

For what I want to do I do not do,

but what I hate I do.
And if I do what I do not want to do,

I agree that the law is good.
As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it,

but it is sin living in me.
I know that nothing good lives in me,

that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good,

but I cannot carry it out.
For what I do is not the good

I want to do; no,

the evil I do not want to do —

this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do,

it is no longer I who do it,

but it is sin living in me that does it...
...What a wretched man I am!

Who will rescue me

from this body of death?
Thanks be to God —

through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself

in my mind am a slave to God's law,

but in the sinful nature

a slave to the law of sin.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus...

- The Apostle Paul, Rom 7:15-20, 7:23-8:1

P.P.S. One may ask, "Michael, O' honest and selfish person, how do you see yourself: as selfish or as godly?" Good question. When it comes to "who I am," I see myself as a glorious Image Bearer, a reborn son of my heavenly Father, a steward and friend of Jesus (who is my Lord and Master), and one of Jesus' co-rulers in training; someone who desires to please God and sometimes does. When it comes to "where I'm at" (in my maturity), I see myself as one in training, but still extremely selfish. My life testifies to this and so will those who really know me - especially my wife - though she is so accepting of me and patient. We have a saying, "Embrace the core and grace the crud." She embraces my core and shows lots of grace to my crud.

This view of myself, in my understanding, is in alignment with what the Bible says of me as well as how I'm really doing. With this view, I walk with confidence (in my new identity that Jesus gave me), but also in humility - not being defensive about or denying my immaturity, but, not letting my sins or sinful pulls identify me. I so appreciate the way Paul ends the passage above by declaring in the next chapter, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." In this whole process, God is for me (not against me), He is with me (and not distant), and He will never condemn me. He totally accepts me - who I am, and where I'm at, All praise to my Great Shepherd who leads me in His awesome ways of caring for others, and helps me to deal with these sinful and selfish pulls as well as my failures. What a rich salvation we have!

Don't Be Fooled By Insincere People

Jesus never answered an insincere question directly. He answerd insincere questions with a question. The way He loved insincere people was by helping them be aware of their insincerity and thereby creating an opportunity for them to repent and deal with thier insincerity. Asking questions is a good way to do that. A perfect example is in Matt 21:23-27

Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "And who gave you this authority ?"

Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism — where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?"

They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' But if we say, 'From men'-we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."

Then he said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

Don't you admire Jesus' answer? And He wants His followers to be like Him - to follow Him in dealing with insincere people. Here's an example of an insincere question:

"How can a loving God send a person to hell?" Normally, the person asking this question doesn't even beleive there is a hell, or an afterlife. They think hell is a fictitious place. But they'll get all bent out of shape if they think you're saying they'll end up in this "fictitious" place. When they do get angry at me because I'm saying that Jesus is the only way to escape hell, I usually say, "Tell me, do you believe that hell is a literal place - a place of eternal torment?" Usually the answer is, "No!" Then I respond, "So, why is it that you're so upset with people, like me, who are telling you that you may be heading for a place that you believe doesn't even exist?" They have to think about that a little while...and some people actually own up to their insincerity at that point.

And rightly so. Could you imagine someone being upset with me if I proclaimed to them, "You will never get to Never-Never land if you don't believe in Peter Pan"? Can you imagine them getting angry with me and saying, "That is so judgmental of you... how narrow-minded and condemning you are - thinking that the only way I can get to Never-Never land is to believe in Peter Pan!" Of course not! Instead, they'd say, "You're crazy! You're so childish or insane if you really believe in that stuff." But why is it, then, that those people who don't, or won't believe in Jesus, or in heaven and hell, get so upset when I tell them that if they don't believe in Jesus they will not be qualified for heaven - and will end up in hell - a place that they think is as real as Never-Never land?...people who believe in a resurrected Savior as much as they believe in Peter Pan. This is just plain insincerity - or, they really do know in their heart that Jesus, and heaven and hell is all true, and they are possibly feeling nervous about the whole thing.

Bottom line: either one believes in heaven and hell, or he doesn't! If he doesn't believe in hell, then it would be insincere to get upset with one who is so pathetic as I who believes that this "fictious place called hell" is actually real, and that they're going there without believing in Jesus.

I try to be gracious and show compassion to insincere people with the hope that when a person's insincerity is exposed, he/she will consider heaven and hell in a more sincere way. After all, I didn't make this stuff up. Jesus spoke often of heaven and hell as being literal places, so if people have a hard time with this, they need to take it up with Jesus. Just something to think about… and a few passages to ponder:

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, " I am the resurrection and the life;
he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,
and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.
Do you believe this?

John 6:47-48
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.

John 6:40
"For this is the will of My Father,
that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him
will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."

John 8:23-25
And He was saying to them,
"You are from below, I am from above;
you are of this world, I am not of this world.
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins;
for unless you believe that I am He,
you will die in your sins."

Matt 10:28-29 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Luke 16:22-24 (actually Luke 16:19-31)
..."The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

Oh - one more passage and thought:

Prov 26:4-5
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,or you will be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,or he will be wise in his own eyes.

In other words, don't step into a fool's arena. You'll both come out losers. Create the arena (with your wise and loving response) that will help the person see his folly. So, the next time you sense an insincere question, whatever you do, resist answering his insincere question. Start communing with your Lord and ask Him for a wise and loving word for this insincere person. You may just be surprised how the Spirit will give you such a life-giving word.

Gal 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,
but faith working through love.

The Greatest Show On Earth

(and in the entire universe)

The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth
It’s happening exclusively
With those of the new birth
The angels are intrigued
And watch with awe from heav’n above
When one frail human rises up with faith
Which works through love

The Creator, Main Character,
The Source of Love directs, enjoys this show of courage and compassion pure;
The greatest Scene, you know, is when His Son
preformed that Act His Father’s so proud of -
And now the spotlight shifts to us:
Our faith which works through love.

You are a star, designed to shine this glory
And as you do
He’s writing His love story
through you

He’s not impressed with fancy speech,
(the Maker of the tongue)
The things man holds in high esteem
He counts them all but dung
There’s really only one great feat
The Father takes note of:
It’s when His son or daughter moves in faith
Which works through love.

The greatest show in the universe
Takes place right here on earth…

© 2007 Michael J. Ledner
written 6/30/2007

[ to hear this song, go to myspace.com/michaelledner ]

. . . only believe

“Do not be afraid. Only believe.” - Jesus (Mark 5:36)

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-29)“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;I will counsel you and watch over you.” (Ps 32:8)Most of the time, believing God isn’t our initial response to His counsel and instruction to our hearts (as we read His Word, hear His Word taught or in prayer / on the go... as He speaks to our hearts). Initially, we’re afraid, doubting, wondering, or just plain slow in our response when His word comes to our hearts.

And in case we’ve forgotten, we’re ’believers.’ We’re known to the world as believers. That’s because we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ— that He is who He says He is. We’re now marked as “one of those believers.” But when it comes to actually believing Him throughout the day, throughout our lives, we are weak in our believing—as seen in the lack of joy that accompanies believing.And why does it seem so difficult to simply believe Him—believe what His Word says—believe what He is speaking to our hearts? Because we are fallen creatures and, no matter how much we grow in Him, it will probably not be our initial response until these fallen bodies are glorified.

So, stop getting down on yourself when you find yourself being a doubting Thomas. But don’t stay there… Jesus isn’t always going to come to you as He did with Thomas and say, “Reach out your hand and put into in my side…”. Just start believing and rejoicing! Hey—you’re going to heaven! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Hey—all your sins are paid in full—and God has set His love on you both now and forever - love that flows like a mighty rushing river! Do you believe that? Then rejoice! He has made you a new person—a companion and partner with Him throughout all eternity.

Do you believe that? Then rejoice! Joy is a way to proclaim your belief to the angels, to the demons and to God; to unashamedly let the whole universe know that you really do believe what God has said. And why shouldn't we believe and rejoice? We're believing in a God who if faithful and true. We have a whole Bible that testifies to His faithfulness and truthfulness. Not only that, we have our own history of God's faithfulness, mercies, and kindnesses - God writing "His-story" into our hearts.God knows that you and I struggle in having that simple child-like faith. The enemy also knows that when a believer simply believes God and rejoices, he/she becomes powerful in God's kingdom and a threat to his. That's why the enemy hits us with all he has the moment he sees us starting to believe God (and gives a double shot when he sees us dare rejoice!).Remember, the Lord is kind and will help us out - even when our heart is doubting. One man said to the Lord, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” (Luke 9:24). If you're struggling with believing, this is a good place to start.

What is Church

What IS the church? What DOES God say the church is? Has the church been re-defined by culture? Is the church as powerful as God intends it to be? Or, is it weak? Why is it that Christians seem to hop around from ‘church’ to ‘church’? Could it be that many Christians are really just "dating the church" as Joshua Harris writes about in his book entitled, Stop Dating The Church?

As lead pastor of DSC I believe that…

THE CHURCH IS PEOPLE, NOT A BUILDING Dallas Willard has said we are at the mercy of our thoughts. If we embrace a false perspective of Church, it will ultimately lead us to a false experience as the Church. "When we define church as a place we visit, a program we attend, a pastor we follow, or by our personal preferences, we miss God's intentions. The Church is God's people." This is what the Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians:

"The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house." 1 Cor 16:19

Now, how can a building, or a house meet in a house? The church met at their house. It was people that met in their house. The church is people; a community of people that are committed to the Lord and to each other.

IT'S A COMMITMENT, NOT AN AFFAIR
A common pastime of Christians today is "Church-hopping" - going to this church for the teaching, this church for the "worship," and another church for the "fellowship." At first glance, this sounds great— but it’s like a bachelor having many girlfriends and never settling down… "I like Suzie because she’s fun, and I like Judy because she’s serious and contemplative, and I like the way Sally looks." All the pleasures of relationship with no commitment. The problem is, it’s shallow. And our love affair with shallow living keeps us from the abundant life Jesus offers us. The mature believer knows and has experienced this fact of life: the rich life Jesus offers comes only through commitment—whether it’s in a marriage or with people at a local congregation. And our commitment to Him is first and foremost. When the church is being the church, there will be a real sense of family.

IT'S A FAMILY (with a purpose), NOT A SOCIAL CLUB
When we understand that Church is not a building, but people, and that the abundant life is experienced in committed relationships, we then are positioned to enjoy the richness of our extended family—God’s people—caring for each other, being real with each other, and joining together to shine His light—helping others to know Him.

FREE INDEED! The Purpose Behind True Freedom

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free… so, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Jn. 8:31-36Our freedom doesn’t come from our government. It comes from God. And a person is only free, free indeed, when that person is "holding to Jesus’ teaching." Freedom has a purpose—not to do our own thing, but to do God’s will, His purposes. It’s being free to serve God by serving others.
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Yes, we are thankful to God to be in a country in which we are free to express ourselves and to pursue happiness. Yet, many pursuers of prosperity and power are miserable. These people are not free inside. That’s because they don’t see the purpose of true freedom.
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The Apostle Paul saw freedom’s true purpose and lived it. He said,"Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave of everyone to win as many as possible...I do this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." 1 Cor. 9:19-23. Paul was "holding to Jesus’ teaching" and hit freedom’s true purpose—which is serving the Lord by serving others in order to lead them to a relationship with Jesus. He understood that true freedom was only attained through being committed to His cause, and he knew the secret of freedom: was to be a slave to Jesus & His will.
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Nobody is really free from serving a master. The Bible says that we are slaves to the one we obey (Rom 6:15-23). We’re only free to choose our master—which can be Satan and sin, or Jesus and His love. Being an American doesn’t automatically make one free inside. Being a sold-out follower of Jesus makes us truly free—free to be His servant.
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A good question to ask is, "Am I truly free?"Let’s always be thankful for the outward freedoms we have in this great country, and thankful for those people who gave their lives to secure those freedoms. This 4th of July enjoy the barbecue, the fireworks, the friends and family, the freedom to express yourself. But let’s also keep in the back of our mind what true freedom is all about.

The Awesome Journey Of The Devoted Believer

Devotion is the Christian’s wholehearted surrender to the Jesus, and following Him as our "Audience Of One." It’s the qualifier for an eternal partnership with Jesus. Devotion is the appropriate response to Jesus’ love and devotion He has shown, is showing and will show to us.Devotion begins when Jesus wins the heart and wins the trust of a believer.
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To some believers, this happens the moment of conversion. To others, it takes some time (some believers have a difficult time being convinced that Jesus may actually have a better life to offer than the one they’re pursuing).Then, and this is crucial for true victory, devotion demands that the believer locks all the secret "back doors" in his life, his heart, and gives the keys to Jesus.
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Next, the devoted follower steps on to a pathway that leads to a co-rulership with Jesus. The obstacles on that path usually hit us when we're not expecting. So this "walk" demands trust. But, since Jesus has won the heart, trust is the only course of action for the devoted believer. And trust is learned in the land of trials and tribulation; the same place character is built.A Christian’s devotion is the anchor that steadies him in those times of testing when all hell seems to break loose. Devotion says, "I’m staying. I’m pressing on. I have no other place to go." Devotion is the only way in which the believer can truly grow. It’s an awesome adventure—journeying from faith to faith, glory to glory.
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Without a devoted heart, the believer just stays in the spins of the world, flesh and devil...kind of like Bill Murray living "Groundhog Day" over and over and over. We're all stuck in a similiar Groundhog Day spin until we secure our devotion to Jesus Christ.Devotion, our appropriate response to His devotion toward us, sets us free to journey on the pathway called Fruitfulness and Great Reward.

TWO ASSURANCES

Assurance of salvation (justification)
by believing in Jesus

Assurance of reward to come (sanctification).
by abiding in Jesus

A MESSAGE FOR MEN WHO ARE SERIOUS ABOUT FINDING OUT WHY GOD PLACED THEM ON THIS GOOD GREEN EARTH (it's really a message for anyone who has the ears to hear - but men really need this message today)

“...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
- Jesus (John 8:32)

“With joy and full assurance because of the gift of eternal life which I received from Jesus when I believed in Him, I live this life mainly as a time of testing for a future reign with Jesus Christ. As I live my life unto Him, I will have assurance of my reward in the Kingdom to come. This is my conviction.”

When a man can say this, and live this, then he is a free man. He has allowed the truth to truly set him free. Any mindset other than this sets a man up for sins and spins; he wastes his life -becomes unfruitful in this life and also sets himself up for regret when he sees Jesus face to face.

This mindset of ‘living this life as a testing ground for the next life’ is the only way a man overcomes temptation, steps out in faith and moves into partnership with Jesus in His love for people—with great joy. It sets a man up for His greatest joy—which is the time when Jesus will grant him his full reward on That Day. And jsut what is the reward? A deeper level of partnership, co-rulership with Jesus in the Kingdom to come; a reward that only this life offers.

This is the Father’s great joy—to give us His Kingdom; to make us partners with Jesus in His Kingdom to come. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” - Jesus (Luke 12:32).

Assurance of our salvation (justification) is based solely on Jesus’ death and resurrection and our believing in Him for that gift of eternal life. Being qualified for heaven is through faith alone in Christ alone. Jesus paid the price for us. Believing in Him for this gift of eternal life qualifies us for heaven. Period. There’s nothing we can do to restore ourselves to eternal life but to believe in Jesus Christ for the gift of eternal life. Once having received this gift of eternal life, there’s no bad thing we can do to lose eternal life, and there’s no good thing we can do to keep ourselves for eternal life.

Living with this assurance is to live as a free man and to establish for himself a sure foundation upon which he can build his life. The sinking-sand foundation of living to earn salvation, living to not lose our salvation, or living to keep one's salvation is what is, sadly, what we hear many times preached today. The one who builds on one of these faulty foundations is, through his life, declaring another 'gospel.' He's declaring a message that says Jesus' work on the cross "IS NOT ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY US!" This is not the gospel - it's not at all the "good news." This is bad news becasue it's not the truth. What good news is it if we must do something to earn our justification, to not lose our position of justification, or to maintain our position of justification? Listen to what the Apostle Paul has to say about our being justified by faith alone:

"Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." - the Apostle Paul (Rom 4:4-5)

With this faulty foundation all our works will have an impure motive - for we're adding to Jesus' work who alone can justify the ungodly (and that's all of us). Do you want to truly be free? Live with the full assurance of having, possessing the gift of eternal life, based on your initial believing in Jesus for His gift of eternal life. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The Apostle John wrote that he wanted us to know that we have eternal life. He wrote (see 1 John 5:13)... "...I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life..." "What's eternal about "eternal" life if it's not forever?

Then, with this assurance, if a man chooses to see this life as a “testing ground” for a future reign with Jesus in the Kingdom to come, he will be truly free. Not just free from the penalty of sin - which is hell, but free from the power of sin. He'll have both assurances: assurance of the gift of eternal life, and assurance of a place of honor with Jesus in His coming Kingdom - a place of co-rulership with Him in His eternal reign.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." - Jesus (Rev 3:19-22)

Assurance of reward to come is based upon how one responds to God’s word and His leading in our lives. We have assurance of our justification based on Jesus’ finished work alone. But our assurance of our being wholly sanctified and rewarded on That Day is dependent upon how we individually respond to God - to His word and to His leading - His voice. We will keep ourselves qualified for that great reward. as we do whatever He gives us to do—wholeheartedly, unto the Lord and not to man for his recognition or praise (see Colossians 3:23-25, This verse in not just for “slaves,” but for those who are free as well—see Ephesians 6: 5-8).

As we continue to partner with Jesus in His love for people we will be assured of our reward to come. Even though the believer is not condemned, our hearts have a habit of condemning us when we're not walking in His ways. And the answer? Walk in His ways. And what are His ways? To love one another. It's only as we keep our hearts right toward people that we will quiet our condemning hearts and be assured before Him. As the Apostle John said:

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. - I Jn 3:18-21

and

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. I Jn 4:16-21

and

And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. I Jn 2:28

The "eternal life" which Paul exhorted Timothy to "take hold of" is not the gift of eternal life which we received when we believed in Jesus. In this context, taking hold of eternal life is taking hold of the promise of reward that will help us "fight the good fight" in this life, and also to help us be better givers - laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Here's Paul's exhortation:

Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may take hold of eternal life. 1 Tim 6:12-19

Living in the victory is not just having assurance of where we’re going, but having assurance of our great reward of closer partnership with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom to come. This is what it means to "live by faith and not by sight.” It's living for the eternal and invisible (invisible for the present time anyway ) Kingdom to come, and not for the comforts and conveniences in this life (though God does give us all things to enjoy -- 1 Timothy 6:6-19. We just need to keep from making enjoyable things our secret idols - 1 John 5:21 - as we live with His future Kingdom in mind).

Read these passages and ask the question, “What was the focus of Abraham, of Moses, of Paul? Were they living with this life or the next life in mind? What is it that helped them to overcome and to live a life of faith? What is Jesus desire for those who have ears to hear (in Rev. 3:19-22).

Heb 11:10, 13-16 For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God...All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Heb 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

Heb 11:39-40 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

2 Cor 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Cor 5:7-11 We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

Rom 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Rev 3:19-22 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." - Jesus

SUMMERIZING:

THE BEMA JUDGMENT IS FOR THE BELIEVER - HIS WORKS ARE JUDGED

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT IS FOR THE UNBELIEVER - HE IS JUDGED

EVERY PERSON IS HEADING FOR ONE OF THESE TWO JUDGMENTS.

THERE IS NO ONE EXCLUDED FROM THIS.

LOVE DEMANDS THAT I KEEP THESE 2 JUDGMENTS IN MIND AS I ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE

REAL LOVE IS CARING MORE FOR ONE'S ETERNAL STATE THAN TEMPORARY STATE

IF I HAVE THESE JUDGMENTS IN MIND, MY LOVE WILL OVERCOME INTIMIDATION